Trap and drain for railway-cars



E. POSSON. IRAP ANDVDRAIN FOR RAILWAY CARS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I4, 1916. 1,329,015.

Patented Jan. 27, 1920.

- .E. PossUN; TRAP -Mm DRAIN Foa RAILWAY cAns.- APPLICATION FILED OCT. I4. 1916.

1,329,01 5. Patented Jan. 27,1920.

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E. POSSON. TRAP AND DRAIN FOR RAILWAY CARS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 14, 1916. 1,3295015, Patented Jan. 27,1920.

. -3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- /z az UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD POSSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRAP AND DRAIN FOR RAILWAY-CARS.

Application led October 14, 1916.

To all lwhom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD PossoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traps and Drains for Railway-Cars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to drains for railway cars, particularly refrigerator cars. and its purpose is to provide an improved device of this kind which may be constructed economically and which will operate efficiently.

In the construction of refrigerator cars it is desirable to prevent the free entrance of outside air into the interior of the car, and it is also necessary to provide means for carrying away the moisture which is produced by the melting of the ice in the ice chambers of the car. An important object of this invention is to provide an improved trap and drain for conducting away the moisture which collects within the car, while at the same time preventing the free entrance of air into the car through the drain. Another important feature of the invention is the provision of a double drain, embodying a principal drain connection through which the water normally escapes from the interior of the car. and an auxiliary drain opening through which the water automatically escapes when the principal drain opening becomes clogged by dirt or other foreign materials which collect with the moisture in the car. A further object is to provide a drain embodying improved means for removing foreign materials which may clog the same and improved means for permitting access to the same for cleaning and repairing. Another feature is the provision of a drain embodying means for conducting the moisture away from the walls and other associated parts of the car. Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement to be hereinafter described.

All of the objects O f this invention will appear more clearly from the following specification` taken in connection withY the yaccompanying drawings, in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section ofa car showing my improved drain in operative position.

Fig. '2 is a plain view of the trap and drain with parts broken away.4

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 27, 1920.

Serial No. 125,699.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the drain, taken transversely of the car.

Fig. 41 is a detail sectional view, taken on the line 4 4 0f Fig. 3.'

5 is a sectional view, taken longitudinally of the car on the linie 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view, taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the hinged closure for the lower part of the auxiliary drain, Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the side sill of a refrigerator car, this side sill composing a part of the underframe of the car which is carried by the usual running gear comprising the wheels 11. The floor of the car is designated by the numeral 12, and above this floor there is mounted an auxiliary' or sub-floor 13, which is composed of a plurality of transverse supporting members 132L mounted on the longitudinal members 13b and carrying the longitudinal spaced apart members or slats 13C. This sub-iioor forms a Ventilating floor through which the cold air can pass upwardlyl to the refrigerating chamber 14 of the car, it being understood that the cold air proceeds through the space beneath the sub-Hoor and the main floor from the ice bunker air chamber 15, one of which is usually located at each end of the refrigerator car. The ice chamber 15 also has a sub-licor 16, which comprises the members 16a. 16b and 16c and is in all respects similar to the sub-floor 13 of the chamber. The ice chamber is separate from the refrigcrating or packing chancber of the car bv any suitable form of bulkhead or partition; in the present instance I have illustrated the lower part 17 of the bulkhead as being formed of a wire screen 17a carried bv a metal frame 17h of Z-bar form and having adiacent the end thereof an aperture 17 through which access mav be had to my improved trap` and drain. This screen permits the cold air to pass from the lower part of the air chamber to the lower part of the refrigeratimar chamber of the car in which the perishable goods are stored for shipment. These features per se do not constitute a part of the-present invention. since my improved drain mav be embodied in various forms of refrigerator car construction, such` for instance. as that shown and described in mv co-pending application, Serial No. 114.783 filed Ang. 14, 1916, yand-they foregoing features have been illustrated for the purpose of showing the adaptation and advantages of the present invention.

My improved drain comprises a casing formed of malleable iron, or the like, having an upper enlarged part 20a which forms a `water chamber or drain trap 21, into which The sub-floor 16 of the ice chamber is seated upon the metal lining 22, and the water which collects when the ice melts flows along the metal lining of the floor and collects in the trap 21 of the casing. 1f desired, one of these drains may be provided at each side of the car for each ice chamber, and it will be understood that the floor of the ice chamber is so inclined as to effect the proper draining of the-moisture into the trap or traps-21 of the drains.

The casing 20 is seated in a chamberl formed in the floor of the car between the longitudinal sills 25 and between the transverse sills 26, which sills support the floor 12 and between which the heat insulating sheets 26a are mounted. The lower part of this chamber is closed by the metal plate 27, which is secured to the framework of the car and which is provided with a suitable aperturel to receive the downwardly extending ycircular part 20F- of the casing. An asbestos sheet 27 is preferably seated on the plate 27. The chamber so formed is filled with suitable heat-insulating material 27D, such as asbestos, hair, or the like.

Formed integrally with the lateral walls ofthe trap 21 and extending longitudinally of they carbetween said walls, is a depending` flange 20vi which terminates a short distance above the lower wall of the trap and which is spaced from the adjacent parallel wall oi the trap. This parallel wall is provided with a boss 28 having a threaded aperture therein which is engaged by the drain pipe 29. This drain pipe is inclined downwardly and 'extends outwardly through the side wall of theI car, projecting a slight distance beyond the sidewall which is reinforced by a plate 30 having an aperture therethrough to receive the pipe. An agitating member 31 is mounted in the pipe. and has an angularly disposed handle 311L at the outer end of the drain pipe to be engaged by the hand of the operator. The rod 31b of the agitating member extends inwardly through the pipe 2 9 and through a suitable aperture in the ,flange 209, where the projecting end is engaged by kajnut 32, held in position by a nie33.J .a washer-3i lamented between the nut andthe flange 20d. An agitating arm or linger 31C is fixed on the rod 31b and extends transversely thereto, being directed in a downward direction when the agitating member is in its normal position. The water which collects in the trap will rise until it reaches the level of the -lowermost part of the inner end of the drain pipe, whence it will flow outwardly and drop down at the side of the car. Should dirt, or any other foreign material, clog the space between the flange 20d and the mouth of the pipe 29, the agitating member 31 may be manipulated to stir up the clogged material and cause the water to carry it away through the drain.

1n addition to the principal drain opening described above, 1 have provided an auxiliary drain opening, which is formed by the flange 20e of the casing extending upwardly from the lower wall of the trap 21 as a continuation of the part 20C. The upper end of this sleeve 20e terminates a short distance above the level of the lowermost part of the inner end of the drain pipe, so that the water collecting in the trap normally flows out through the pipe 29; but when such pipe becomes clogged the water will well up to a greater height and will `then pass downwardly through the auxiliary drain opening formed by the annular sleeve and associated parts. rlhe mouth of this sleeve is closed by a drain cap 35, which is hinged on the projecting lug 36 of the casing by means of a pin 37. The end of the cap opposite the pin 37 is engaged by a downwardly-extending pin or post 3S, which engages the lower wall of the trap 21 opposite the hinge, and thus maintains the cap 35 in normal horizontal position spaced upwardly from the mouth of the sleeve 20c. 1t will be seen that the cap comprises an annular downwardly-extending flange 35a, which surrounds and is spaced outwardly from the upper part of the sleeve. 1t will be seen, therefore, that after a small amount of' water has collected in the trap the openings therefrom will be sealed by the water to prevent the entrance of air into the interior of the car through the drain. For this purpose the lower edges of the flangesv 20L and 20d terminate below the lowermost aart of the inner end of the drain pine 29 so that there is always suflicient water in the trap to effect an air-tight seal. Two of the lugs 36 are provided, being located opposite each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the car, so that the cap may be pivoted on either lug in order to direct the free end of the cap toward the interior of the car when the drain is located at either end of the car. 1n this way the cap may be reached through the aperture 17c'in the bulkhead and swung away from the operator to permit cleaning.

The downwardly extending part 20c of the casing 20 projects though the plate 27, as above described, and is connected at its lower end to a supplementary casing 40. This connection is made by means of the parallel flanges 4l formed on the part 20C and arranged to be engaged by the guideways 42 formed integrally with the upper part of the supplementary casing. After the supplementary casing has been moved into position on the iianges 4l of the main casing, the two parts may be locked in position by means of a pin 43 which passes through the lug 44 carried by the casing 40 and through alining apertures in the parallel lugs 45 carried by the casing 20. This pin may preferably be a split pin which will permit the ready removal of the lower part of the casing when desired.

The supplementary casing 40 has the lower part thereof angularly disposed with respect to the part 20c of the main casing, and the upper side thereof is open, as shown at 4G, this opening forming a continuation of the corresponding opening 46a formed in the outer side of the part 20C. The lower wall of the supplementary casing 40 directly below the part 20 is provided with an opening 47 which is normally closed by a cover 49 pivoted on the casing by means of a pin 50, which passes through the walls of an outwardly extending projection 5l formed on the casing and through a suitable aperture formed in the arm 49a carried by the cover. This cover is normally held in position by gravity on the flange 53 around the opening 47, but it may be pushed upwardly by a suitable instrument into the position shown by dotted lines at 49", thus permitting access to the interior of the main casing, so that the cover 35 may be lifted if desired, in order to effect the removal of waste matter which may have collected in the trap, for instance, or for any other desired purpose. l/Vhen in its uppermost position, the ribs 49c of the cover will pass into the grooves 57, which are formed in the projecting parts 45 of the main casing. Then the cover is released by the operator it will automatically fall into its normal closed position, and when the cap 35 is released by the operating instrument it will also fall by gravity to its normal position over the flange 20. A sheet metal chute 55, open on the upper side, is attached by rivets 56 to the outer end of the supplep mentary casing, and is adapted to direct the water passing downwardly through the drain outwardly to a point adjacent the plane of the side wall of the car. In this way the moisture is conducted away from the walls and the various parts of the rolling stock of the car.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided an improved double drain, embodying one drain outlet which is adapted to operate normally for the purpose of conducting away the water which collects in the trap of the drain, and embodying a supplementary drain opening which is adapted to function when the firstnamed drain becomes inoperative by reason of being` clogged, for instance. lVhen the first-named drain becomes clogged, the agitator may be manipulated to remove the waste material which causes the clogging, and the principal drain will then operate normally, while the supplementary drain will discontinue to operate. By this means it is certain that one of the drain openings will be operating constantly, and if a passing trainman notices that the principal drain is not performing its function, the agitator may be manipulated to restore the apparatus to its normal operation. It will be seen that the trap may be readily cleaned through the aperture l7c in the bulkhead, and also the supplementary drain opening, by means of theJ removable covers 35 and 49, which I have provided for that purpose. It will further be apparent that each of the drain openings conducts the waste water to a point where it will not fall on the running gear of the car.

Although I have shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that it may be constructed in various other forms without departing from the spirit of my invention as embodied in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a drain for a railway car, a receptacle mounted in the floor of the car, an angular conduit leading` downwardly from said receptacle through said floor and out- ,wardly toward the side of said car, a removable cap in said receptacle over the upper end of said conduit, and a removable plate in the wall of said conduit to permit removal of said cap from a position beneath said car.

Q. In a drain for a railway car, a receptacleA mounted in the ioor of the car, a conduit leading downwardly from said receptacle through said ioor, a removable cap over the upper end of said receptacle, means to permit removal of said cap from a position beneath said car, and a second drain conduit leading from said receptacle at a lower level than the inlet opening of said iirst-named conduit.

3. In a drain for a railway car, a receptacle mounted in the floor of the car, a partition across said receptacle forming a chamber opening adjacent the bottom of said receptacle beneath the level of fluid therein, an outlet conduit opening above the bottom of said receptacle, and a second outlet conduit opening from said chamber below the level of said irst-na1ned outlet.

l. In a drain for a railway car, means within the car for collecting fluid therein, a conduit leading from said collecting means to the exterior of said car, and means operable from the exterior of said car for restoring the operation of said conduit after it has become inoperative.

5. In a drain for a railway ir, means within the car for collecting iiuid therein, a conduit leading from said collecting means to the exterior of said car, an operating member mounted in said conduit, and means carried by said operating member at the inner end of' said conduit -for removing materials from the mouth of said conduit.

6. In a drain for a railway car, a recepta- Cle having' a chamber for collecting fluid, said receptacle having a partition across the same forming a second chamber communi eating with said fluid collecting chamber beneath the level of fluid therein, a fluid outlet from each of said chambers communicating with said chambers at different levels, and means controlled from the outside of said car for agitating the contents of said chambers.

7. In a drain for a railway car, a receptacle having a chamber for collec-ting fluid, said receptacle having a partition across the same forming a second chamber communicating with said fluid collecting chamber beneath the level of fluid therein, a fluid outlet from each of said chambers communicating with said chambers at different levels, and a hinged cap over the outlet from said first-named chamber, said cap being spaced upwardly from the mouth of said outlet and outwardly from the walls thereof.

8. In a device of the Class described, a member having a chamber for collecting fluid, a drain conduit leading` from said chamber, a second conduit leading from said chamber, the inlet opening of said lastnamed conduit being at a higher level than the opening of said first-named conduit, and covers for the inlet openings of' each of said conduits.

9. In a drain for a railway car, a casing having a chamber formed therein, said chamber being open on its upper side to permit water to flow therein from the floor of said car, an outlet conduit having the walls thereof projecting upwardly from the bottom of said casing, a cap for said conduit spaced upwardly from the mouth thereof and having a flange extending around and outwardly from said conduit, a permanent opening being formed between said flange and the lower wall of said chamber, and a second drain conduit leading from said casing above the lower edge of said flange.

l0. In a device of the class described, a casing having a fluid collecting chamber termed therein and a supplementary chamber in communication with said first-named chamber, an outlet conduit leading -rom said supplementary chamber, a second conduit having its walls Aprojecting upwardly from the lower wall of said fluid collecting chamber, and a cap over said second-named conduit, said cap having a flange extending around and outwardly from said secondnanied conduit, the lower edge o said flange and the communication between said fluid collecting chamber and said supplementary chamber being below the level of the mouth of said first mentioned conduit.

ll. In a drain for a railway car, a receptacle arranged to be mounted in the floor of the car to collect fluid therein, an outlet duct leading downwardly from said receptacle, a movable cap mounted over the upper end of saidduct in said receptacle, said duct havingan aperture in its lower wall beneath the floor of said car, and a movable cover over said aperture, whereby a rod may be thrust upwardly through said aperture to remove said cap from its position over the upper end of said conduit.

l2. In a drain for a railway car, a receptacle for fluid adapted to be mounted in the floor of the car, an outlet d' ct leading downwardly from said receptacle, a supplementary casing detachably connected to said duct, and a chute connected to said casing and extending outwardly from the side of said car.

In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name.

EDWARD POSSON. 

